Aakash Chopra hits back at critics questioning Hardik Pandya’s Grade A BCCI central contract

The recent announcement of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)‘s centrally contracted players for the 2023-24 season stirred controversy, notably with Hardik Pandya being placed in Grade A. This move faced scrutiny as Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan opted out due to non-compliance with BCCI regulations on domestic cricket.

Backlash over Hardik Pandya’s Grade A inclusion

Questions arose regarding Pandya’s eligibility, given his absence from both international and domestic cricket since sustaining an injury in the ODI World Cup 2023. Critics argued that being out of Test cricket due to a fragile back and infrequent participation in domestic cricket should disqualify him from Grade A.

Aakash Chopra defends BCCI’s decision on Hardik Pandya

Chopra stepped in to defend the BCCI’s decision, asserting that Pandya shouldn’t be penalized for not playing first-class cricket, especially as he isn’t in contention for a Test squad spot.

“Hardik Pandya’s case is very simple. Why would you punish him if he has not made a mistake? He is not playing red-ball cricket. That ambition or aspiration does not exist anymore. He has not said that as such, but the truth is that he is not available at all for any Test series,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“So if you are not at all auditioning for Tests, no one will ask you to play first-class cricket. Why would you play four-day games when you don’t have that much strength in your body to bowl so many overs and have injury problems? So why should he play – fair play,” the 46-year-old concluded.

Also READ: Full list of players removed from BCCI’s annual contracts for 2023-24 season

A chronological perspective

Chopra provided a chronological account of Pandya’s limited domestic cricket involvement, citing injury concerns and emphasizing that Pandya never made himself unavailable.

“Let’s try to understand the chronology slightly. It will just clear up your mind why a different rule has been kept for him and why it is wrong to include him with Ishan and Shreyas. He got injured during the World Cup, which was October-November,” the Agra-born cricketer stated.

“The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was over in October-November. He was playing in the World Cup for India at that time. The last match that Baroda played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy was on 5th December. He was not fit and available. He wasn’t practicing anywhere but was recovering from his injury in the NCA,” Chopra concluded.

Pandya’s cricketing comeback: From injury to IPL leadership

Pandya suffered an ankle injury in the World Cup 2023 against Bangladesh in Pune, leading to his absence from cricket. Nevertheless, he made a comeback in the DY Patil tournament 2024 and is slated to captain the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

Also READ: MI captain Hardik Pandya shares a funny incident about his first IPL player of the Match award